1. LESSON 12: You Should Not Have Done That!
Words Relating to Criticizing, Disapproving, or Scolding

2. Berate To rebuke or scold in a harsh tone
Her mother came out and berated me for raising my voice.
The customer berated the waiter for bringing him cold soup.
Joe deserved the berating his coach gave him after he failed to hustle after the fly ball.
Verb
To rebuke or scold in a harsh tone

3. Carp To find fault; to be critical
My mother constantly carps at me for my messy room.
If you work hard on your homework, your teacher won’t carp at you for your lack of effort.
Bobby wouldn’t stop carping about his sister’s poor driving.
Verb
To find fault; to be critical

4. Castigate To scold or punish severely
My father castigated me for not setting a better example for my little sister.
Bonnie was castigated for her insensitive remarks.
The media severely castigated the manager for his on-field decisions.
Verb
To scold or punish severely

5. Censure To criticize strongly
Congress censured the Representative for his ethical violations.
Tommy’s family strongly censured him for his decision to get a tattoo.
The judge was harshly censured for his poor conduct at the trial.
Verb
To criticize strongly

6. Chastise To punish or scold harshly
The executive chastised his colleagues for their laziness.
The President chastised Congress for their failure to pass the important bill.
My teachers would often chastise me for speaking in class.
Verb
To punish or scold harshly

7. Deprecate To show mild disapproval
The comedian’s humor was very self-deprecating; he often made jokes at his own expense.
The other team made deprecating comments from the bench while we were at bat.
The college professor deprecated the author’s new book.
Verb
To show mild disapproval

8. Deride To ridicule or make fun of; to scoff at
Movie critics derided the new film as a poor effort from a once-great director.
The politician’s speech was met with derision from his opponent.
The officials derided the proposal as a clumsy attempt to find a solution.
Verb
To ridicule or make fun of; to scoff at

9. Impugn To oppose or attack someone or something as false
The official impugned several of the claims made in the newspaper article.
The drill sergeant impugned the recruits’ ability to complete the obstacle course.
The governor’s opponents often impugn his abilities as a leader.
Verb
To oppose or attack someone or something as false

10. Rebuff To snub; to bluntly refuse
My uncle rebuffed my offer to repay him for his help.
Maya quickly rebuffs any attempt to win her friendship.
My teacher rebuffed my attempts to hand my work in late; she refused to accept anything after it was due.
Verb
To snub; to bluntly refuse

11. Rebuke To reprimand or scold sharply
Brian’s girlfriend rebuked him for not paying enough attention to her.
The judge rebuked the prosecutor for refusing to obey her rulings.
The mother rebuked her child for talking to strangers.
Verb
To reprimand or scold sharply

12. Reprove To speak to in a disapproving manner; to scold
The mother would reprove her children whenever they spoke out of turn.
“Don’t be so childish,” reproved his father.
I glanced reprovingly at my brother for refusing to help with the chores.
Verb
To speak to in a disapproving manner; to scold

13. Upbraid To chide; to scold bitterly
Janet was upbraided for her slovenly appearance.
The president upbraided the general for refusing to follow his orders.
My roommate upbraided me again for missing our rent payment.
Verb
To chide; to scold bitterly